Scripture of the Day:

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All these things I will give you if you fall down and do an act of worship to me.—Matthew 4:9.

Showing Jesus “all the kingdoms of the world and their glory,” Satan blatantly said the above to Jesus. Fully aware that the Devil did indeed have control over “all the kingdoms of the world,” Jesus showed where He stood on the issue of sovereignty by replying: “Go away, Satan! For it is written, ‘It is Jehovah your God you must worship, and it is to him alone you must render sacred service.’” (Matt. 4:8-10) Jesus’ life course demonstrated clearly that for him, upholding Jehovah’s sovereignty was the paramount objective. Jesus well knew that he must remain faithful until death at Satan’s hand in order to prove the rightfulness of God’s sovereignty. (Matt. 16:21; 17:12) He also had to bear witness to the fact that the Kingdom of God is the instrument empowered by Jehovah to subdue the rebel Satan and to restore peace and order to all creation.—Matt. 6:9, 10.

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[1] religioustruths.proboards59.com/ An Educational Referral Forum

[2] www.network54.com/Forum/403209 A Forum Devoted to Exposing The False Religion of Islam

[3] jude3.proboards92.com/ A Free-Speech Forum For All

[4] www.freewebs.com/iris_the_preacher My web site.

Your Friend in Christ Iris89

[iris89]

It is not good for the man to continue by himself. I am going to make a helper for him.—Genesis 2:18.

A key element of God’s purpose for humankind was for married people to have children and “fill the earth.” (Gen. 1:28) “I am going to make a helper for him,” said Jehovah, “as a complement of him.” God then had the first man fall into a deep sleep, and from his perfect body He took a rib and built that into a woman. When Jehovah brought this perfect woman, Eve, to Adam, the man said: “This is at last bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh. This one will be called Woman, because from man this one was taken.” Eve was truly a complement of Adam. Each would display particular attributes and qualities, yet both were perfect and made in God’s image. Thus Jehovah arranged the first marriage. Adam and Eve had no trouble accepting this divine arrangement that would provide mutual help and support.—Gen. 1:27; 2:21-23.

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We have the release by ransom through the blood of [Jesus], yes, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his undeserved kindness.—Ephesians 1:7.

If we wonder if we have sinned against the holy spirit, remember that Jehovah does forgive repentant sinners. Of prime importance is earnest prayer to God. If we have sinned, we can plead for forgiveness on the basis of Jesus’ ransom sacrifice, Jehovah’s mercy, our inherited imperfection, and our record of faithful service. What if we have sinned but are unable to pray because our sin has made us spiritually sick? In this regard, the disciple James wrote: “Let [such a person] call the older men of the congregation to him, and let them pray over him, greasing him with oil in the name of Jehovah. And the prayer of faith will make the indisposed one well, and Jehovah will raise him up. Also, if he has committed sins, it will be forgiven him.”—Jas. 5:14, 15.

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You, too, widen out.—2 Corinthians 6:13.

In our congregation, we may need to pay more attention to maintaining a proper view of one another. That calls for bearing in mind the apostle Peter’s counsel to manifest “unhypocritical brotherly affection” and to “love one another intensely from the heart.” (1 Pet. 1:22) Cultivating genuine love and affection can be a challenge in a multinational setting. Our fellow worshippers’ culture may vary considerably from our own, as may their educational, economic, and ethnic background. Do you find it a challenge to understand the thinking or reactions of some? They may feel the same way about you. Nonetheless, all of us are instructed: “Have love for the whole association of brothers.” (1 Pet. 2:17) It may be necessary to make some adjustments in our thinking so as to widen out in our love for all our brothers.

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There is going to be a resurrection.—Acts 24:15.

When death separates family members, such great loss can result in deep sorrow. (Gen. 23:2) Even the perfect man Jesus “gave way to tears” when his friend Lazarus died. (John 11:35) So it is natural to experience sadness when death claims someone you love. However, Christians know that there will be a resurrection. Hence, they do not “sorrow just as the rest also do who have no hope.” (1 Thess. 4:13) Complete reliance on “the God of all comfort” will help us to endure bereavement. (2 Cor. 1:3, 4) So will reflecting on what was done by the first-century widow Anna. She became a widow after only seven years of marriage. But at the age of 84, she was still rendering sacred service to Jehovah at the temple. (Luke 2:36-38) Such a devout life undoubtedly helped her to cope with grief and loneliness. Regular participation in Christian activities can help us to endure the effects of bereavement.

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God is love.—1 John 4:8.

With the striking words of today’s text, the Bible identifies Jehovah’s dominant quality, the quality that is the most appealing of them all and the most comforting for those troubled by the prevalence of wickedness. Jehovah has shown love in every aspect of the way he has handled sin’s terrible blight upon his creation. Love moved Jehovah to give hope to the sinful offspring of Adam and Eve. (Genesis 3:15) God allowed them to approach him in prayer and made it possible for them to come into an approved relationship with Him. Love moved God to provide a ransom that would open the way for full forgiveness of sins and restoration to perfect, everlasting life. (John 3:16) And love has moved him to be patient with mankind, giving as many as possible the opportunity to reject Satan and choose Jehovah as their Sovereign. (2 Pet. 3:9) Since Jehovah is wise, just, and loving, we know that he will soon end all suffering. In fact, he has promised to do so.—Rev. 21:3, 4.

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The people continued to serve Jehovah all the days of Joshua and all the days of the older men who extended their days after Joshua and who had seen all of Jehovah’s great work that he did for Israel.—Judges 2:7.

About the time that Moses was 80, he came in contact with Joshua, who was much younger. For the next 40 years, Joshua served as Moses’ personal attendant. (Num. 11:28) He accompanied Moses up Mount Sinai and was on hand to meet Moses when he descended from the mountain with the tablets of the Testimony. (Ex. 24:12-18; 32:15-17) What a wellspring of mature counsel and wisdom aged Moses must have been to Joshua! Joshua, in turn, imparted encouragement to the nation of Israel for as long as he lived. With the death of Joshua and the other older men, however, there began a 300-year period of vacillation between true worship and false, leading up to the days of Samuel the prophet.

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You people must take care to do just as Jehovah your God has commanded you.—Deuteronmy 5:32.

A spirit of independence and disobedience permeates the world today. The apostle Paul explains why in his letter to Ephesian Christians: “You at one time walked according to the system of things of this world, according to the ruler of the authority of the air, the spirit that now operates in the sons of disobedience.” (Eph. 2:1, 2) Yes, Satan the Devil, “the ruler of the authority of the air,” has, you might say, infected the whole world with the spirit of disobedience. He was doing so in the first century, and he has been doing so even more intensely since being cast out of heaven about the time of World War I. (Rev. 12:9) As Christians, however, we know that Jehovah God deserves our heartfelt obedience because he is our Creator and the Sustainer of our life.—Acts 4:24; Rev. 4:11.

[iris89]

You people must take care to do just as Jehovah your God has commanded you.—Deuteronmy 5:32.

A spirit of independence and disobedience permeates the world today. The apostle Paul explains why in his letter to Ephesian Christians: “You at one time walked according to the system of things of this world, according to the ruler of the authority of the air, the spirit that now operates in the sons of disobedience.” (Eph. 2:1, 2) Yes, Satan the Devil, “the ruler of the authority of the air,” has, you might say, infected the whole world with the spirit of disobedience. He was doing so in the first century, and he has been doing so even more intensely since being cast out of heaven about the time of World War I. (Rev. 12:9) As Christians, however, we know that Jehovah God deserves our heartfelt obedience because he is our Creator and the Sustainer of our life.—Acts 4:24; Rev. 4:11.

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These very men keep on subverting entire households by teaching things they ought not.—Titus 1:11.

With distorted thinking, some men on Crete may have been advocating regulations from the Law about foods and ritual cleanness. They may even have been embellishing what the Law said, as well as advocating Jewish fables and human commandments. (Mark 7:2, 3, 5, 15; 1 Tim. 4:3) Such thinking had a negative impact on their judgment and moral sense, their conscience. Paul wrote: “To persons defiled and faithless nothing is clean.” (Titus 1:15) Their conscience became so distorted that it no longer was a reliable guide for their actions and evaluations. Moreover, they judged fellow Christians on things in which one Christian might decide one way but another might choose differently. In this respect these Cretans were viewing as unclean what really was not. (Rom. 14:17; Col. 2:16) While declaring that they knew God, they proved otherwise by their works.—Titus 1:16.

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Rejoice with me, because I have found my sheep.—Luke 15:6.
Disciple-making is a team effort. All Christians share in searching for those who may become Jesus’ disciples. And when a new one starts to attend meetings at the Meeting Hall, every Christian present contributes to building his appreciation for true worship. (1 Cor. 14:24, 25) Thus, all Christians can rejoice that hundreds of thousands of new disciples are made each year. Many faithful Christians would be delighted to teach someone about Jehovah and true worship. Despite their best efforts, though, they may not have been able to do so. If that is your situation, continue to strengthen your love for Jehovah, be concerned about people, be self-sacrificing, exercise patience, and seek to enhance your teaching skills. Above all, make your desire to teach the truth a matter of prayer. (Eccl. 11:1) Remember, everything you do in Jehovah’s service contributes to the disciple-making work that glorifies God.

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Shepherd the flock of God in your care, not under compulsion, but willingly; neither for love of dishonest gain, but eagerly.—1 Peter 5:2.

Elderly members of the congregation appreciate the valuable help of those younger in years and treat them with dignity. In turn, youths respect older ones who have years of experience in serving Jehovah. (1 Tim. 5:1, 2) Christian elders seek out qualified men to whom they can delegate certain responsibilities, training them to help care for God’s flock. (2 Tim. 2:1, 2) Each individual Christian ought to value Paul’s inspired advice: “Be obedient to those who are taking the lead among you and be submissive [“yielding under,” ftn.], for they are keeping watch over your souls as those who will render an account; that they may do this with joy and not with sighing, for this would be damaging to you.”—Heb. 13:17.

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John 8:42 Yehoshua said to them, " Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.” (Authorized King James Bible; AV).

Yehoshua said he comes from God. The flesh cannot be speaking for the flesh was created. So Yehoshua's spiritual being came from God. Yehoshua did not send himself, he did not come on his own, but before he was on earth, God sent him. Yehoshua was sent by God into the world, so Yehoshua is before the world with God.

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This is a proof of the righteous judgment of God.—2 Thessolinians. 1:5.

How sobering it is to reflect on the fact that God has set a future judgment day for mankind! (Acts 17:30, 31) That judgment will be by the resurrected Jesus Christ and will mean either life or death. That Judgment Day will be 1,000 years long. Jesus will preside over it in Jehovah’s name as King of God’s Kingdom, but he will not be alone. Jehovah chooses others from among mankind to reign with Jesus and judge during that millennium-long day. (Compare Luke 22:29, 30.) Almost 4,000 years ago, Jehovah laid the groundwork for that Judgment Day when he made a covenant with his faithful servant Abraham. (Gen. 22:17, 18) That covenant evidently went into effect in 1943 B.C.E. Of course, Abraham was unable to grasp fully what the covenant would mean for mankind. We today, though, can see that under its terms, Abraham’s seed play a special role in the fulfillment of God’s purpose to judge mankind.

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I am a representative from him, and that One sent me forth.—John 7:29.

What comes to mind when you hear the word “missionary”? As one of Jehovah’s Witnesses, you likely think of the missionaries sent out by the Governing Body to preach the good news in various lands around the earth. (Matt. 24:14) These missionaries unselfishly devote their time and effort to the noble cause of helping people to draw close to Jehovah God and enjoy a precious relationship with him. (Jas. 4:8) Jesus can be called the greatest Missionary, the ultimate Missionary, because one reason why he was sent to earth was to “bear witness to the truth.” (John 18:37) He was completely successful in proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom, and the benefits of his service are still available to us. For example, we can apply his teaching methods in our ministry, whether we are assigned as missionaries or not.